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I need a free (libre) utility for Windows that allows a person to edit an ISO file.

The goal is to be able to:

  • Mount the ISO file with the ISO filesystem being readable and writeable.
  • Make changes to files in the ISO filesystem as needed via the utility.
  • Unmount the ISO filesystem with changes being saved to the ISO file.

How can I do this? Is there a utility, or do I need to build a toolchain?

quack quixote
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eleven81
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  • @matt wilkie do you have a Winrar registered version? – avirk Jun 27 '12 at 17:44
  • No @avirk, I don't. I generally use 7zip. Why, does registered winrar edit ISOs? – matt wilkie Jun 27 '12 at 18:02
  • @random, please elucidate why this was closed as not constructive. The question is clear, well worded, and specific. I fail to see what parts of it might solicit debate or argument. The question has been upvoted 10 times and been made a favourite 5 times, demonstrating strong interest in the answers. – matt wilkie Jun 29 '12 at 15:56
  • It's shopping for a product recommendation. That goes either off topic or not constructive @mat – random Jun 29 '12 at 16:09
  • Ok. Thanks for the clarification @random. I can see how asking for product recommendations can be perceived as off topic. I think this is on the edge of that and not in it, but I accept it. You should close this one too then: http://superuser.com/questions/3804/free-windows-iso-mounting-software?rq=1 – matt wilkie Jun 29 '12 at 16:16
  • Thanks for pointing out the other question. These are better rephrased by asking how to do an action in a current app. With the comment or aside saying that you're open for other programs, but the primary goal would be to fix/better the current app @mat – random Jun 29 '12 at 16:22
  • @random: Just for curiosity - how does one ask for an iso editor (=software) as "an action in a current app" when one has none? – harrymc Jun 30 '12 at 06:00
  • Fetching a list of apps to try or not try would clearly be a polling/shopping question that can't be asked @har – random Jun 30 '12 at 12:48
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    @random: I'm not trying to be difficult, but I must admit I don't understand. The FAQ says "shopping or buying", but this cannot apply to freeware. Polling isn't mentioned, but even if it was the dictionary makes it almost synonymous with voting, and certainly there was no voting requested here or an opinion poll. How is asking for recommendation same as polling? And remarking that SU, by its vote system, is nothing else than an opinion poll system. – harrymc Jun 30 '12 at 15:23
  • You could try http://superuser.com/a/656024/159726 – Alexx Roche Oct 08 '13 at 15:34
  • **For future reference:** If you want a software recommendation (which is what you need if you don't have any apps that you currently know can do this) try asking here: http://softwarerecs.stackexchange.com/ – thilina R Oct 07 '16 at 20:08

4 Answers4

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There is no "free (libre) utility" that does all this.

You can use 7-Zip to extract ISO images, WinCDEmu to mount an ISO image and InfraRecorder rebuild and write the ISO image to disc.

7-Zip, WinCDEmu and InfraRecorder are free open source programs (which is pretty much as 'libre' as it gets :). Portable versions of 7-Zip and InfraRecorder are available.

Peter Mortensen
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    InfraRecorder cannot view/edit ISOs, only burn them. – ivan_pozdeev May 29 '17 at 12:16
  • https://anyburn.com/ is completely free and "edits" iso by opening one, letting you add/remove files then makes a copy of the new ISO. Does not modify in place, and for that matter I think most software creates a temporary file anyway before modifying the image. – Cristian Feb 03 '22 at 12:54
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UltraISO: On June 2009, PC User magazine Australia offered v9 full version to its readers.

Here are the registration details:

Name: PC User readers
Serial: 4BF9-8D1E-1786-30A8

Do take note that this registration details will NOT work on the trial installer that is downloadable from UltraISO's website, but the original version can still be found by googling for uiso93pes.exe.

TotalMounter is advertised as a free ISO editor, but I have no experience with it.

Folder2Iso does what it is named for and can be used instead of an ISO editor.

Peter Mortensen
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harrymc
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  • is there a citation for the PC User magazine offering? ...just thinking it would be a good idea to back the claim up, making it clear this isn't warez or similar. – matt wilkie Jun 27 '12 at 17:50
  • This UltraISO freebie is plastered all over the Internet, but impossible to find out its source, since PC User was apparently sold. One source is [here](http://forum.raymond.cc/freebies/12282-free-ultraiso-v9-full-license-key.html). – harrymc Jun 27 '12 at 21:38
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    Re: Folder2Iso; the Folder2Iso page itself says clearly *About : Folder2Iso just creates an iso from any kind of folder (with the subfolders).* Nothing about *editing*.   Re: TotalMounter; Cool. A virtual CDVD-RW software has been elusive for a long time. My only concern is with the terrible writing on the page. It looks like a non-native English-speaker wrote it, but there is no indication of the company being foreign. Oh, also, it seems to be free due to [built-in ads](http://www.kernsafe.com/Products/TotalMounter/Screenshot/Main.Png). – Synetech Jun 28 '12 at 06:05
  • @Synetech: Folder2Iso: I just wanted to mention it as last possibility, when having no other solution, to edit the folder and then create the ISO. Not the best, but at least free. – harrymc Jun 29 '12 at 14:03
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I don't know of any free software that allows you to mount an ISO as a read/write drive. ImgBurn though is a free tool that will allow you to extract the contents of an ISO, then modify the files, then re-create the ISO.

pipTheGeek
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    I tried ImgBurn today. It's closed-source and adware-ridden. I've uninstalled it. – bukzor Mar 02 '14 at 03:29
  • Yes, when I originally posted this, although it was closed source, it wasn't full of adverts. It has since gained more and more adverts so I'm also looking for an alternative. – pipTheGeek Mar 04 '14 at 09:44
  • I've used InfraRecorder and am quite happy. It's open source and has all the features I want. – bukzor Mar 04 '14 at 22:21
  • `Poweriso + MagicISO + UltraISO + WinISO` (filesize limit); `ISOpen` (FREE); `SecureCD creator` (FREE); `ISO master` + `gBurner` (trial period); – T.Todua Mar 25 '14 at 13:50
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New answer:

There's practically no all-in-one utility to achieve this on Windows, although some alternatives for Linux exist. Your best bet is to extract the files, change them and them generate a new ISO, or work with 7-Zip.

Old, but updated answer:

You clearly state that you want to mount and then edit your image file. So:

  • For a FOSS/Libre utility, try ISO Master or AcetoneISO.
  • I'd suggest using a freeware or even shareware utility, like 7-Zip, MagicISO, etc.
Peter Mortensen
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Astyanax
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  • An old question but I recently stirred the pot as I'm looking for updated answers. :) The feature set of AcetoneISO looks rich, but is linux only and this Q is specifically for Windows. 7zip has already been mentioned. MagicISO is new to this thread, mentions editing as a feature, but while inexpensive is not free. – matt wilkie Jun 29 '12 at 16:07
  • Is AcetoneIso a free iso editor? maybe not.. – T.Todua Mar 26 '14 at 22:21
  • @Solutioner: It's FOSS although it's not an editor indeed. Best and probably only free alternative for windows is 7Zip. ISO Master is free for linux and shareware for Windows but you have to find it on download sites such as softpedia. So, either one uses a shareware utility (lots of them: WinISO, MagicISO, PowerISO) or extracts the iso, changes the files, and creates a new one. No easy and free all-in-one solution exists (let alone a portable one...). – Astyanax Mar 29 '14 at 13:01